Offering support for bushfire-affected communities

What – The “placemaking” team at City of Port Phillip was very busy in the first few weeks of 2020, supporting Victorian communities affected by the summer bushfires. Their Fitzroy Street / High Country and Gippsland Comeback bushfire relief shops opened on 29th February, hoping to trade every weekend for 2 months (but the COVID-19 restrictions shortened their stay…) Over 100 retail and hospitality businesses from the Victorian High Country and Gippsland regions participated – bringing their wine and cheese, condiments and various merchandise to St Kilda. The initiative aimed to support country businesses doing it (very) tough after those recent fires… providing an opportunity to showcase their wares (and sell some product), engage with city folk – and encourage us to visit the regions sometime soon, spending time (and money) in their devastated communities.

The process started with the generous donation of space by 2 local landlords… awesome venues which were (temporarily) standing empty. The placemakers also reached out to corporates to provide the transport of products in from country Victoria, electricity and gas to power the stores, online and marketing communications, also the provision of loaned equipment and shopfittings – even accommodation for the vendors coming to St Kilda to trade in those pop up stores.